Overview
This lecture provided an overview of the DBA dissertation process, focusing on the topic proposal milestone, key documentation, evaluation criteria, and approval workflow.
Dissertation Journey & Milestones
- After coursework, students have three months to submit the topic proposal, the first dissertation milestone.
- The DBA dissertation process consists of topic proposal, research proposal (defense required), and final defense.
- Each milestone awards credits upon qualification; total required credits for completion are 28.
Guidelines & Documentation
- Follow provided thesis/business plan/book guideline documents for chapter structure and expectations.
- Each submission must strictly meet chapter expectations and format requirements; subsections can vary if expectations are met.
- Documents must be formatted in APA style, including organization, citation, tables, and references.
Evaluation & Rubric
- Evaluation rubrics are based on guidelines and include proficiency checks (e.g., vision/mission, literature review, number of interviews).
- All deliverables are assessed without presentations or defense at the topic proposal stage—only the written document counts.
- Adjustments to the guideline requirements should be discussed with your supervisor and justified in your document.
Ethical Clearance (IRB)
- IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval is needed after the topic proposal, before data collection begins.
- IRB training for ethical research is required for students and supervisors and can be completed anytime.
- All research involving human participants must follow ethical standards (informed consent, anonymity).
Submission & Approval Process
- Topic proposal submission requires approval from the supervisor, then co-supervisor, and finally the designated reader (DDR).
- Must include: completed proposal, approvals from supervisor/co-supervisor, Turnitin similarity (<20%), Turnitin AI report (<20%), and Appendices A & B.
- Similarity and AI reports are facilitated via the institution—students may request multiple reports as drafts are updated.
Meetings & Communication
- Meet with your supervisor regularly; submit a meeting report at least once every two months to track progress.
- Report issues promptly if unable to contact your supervisor.
- Regular cohort meetings are scheduled to support students and clarify requirements.
Chapter Structure & Timeline
- Topic proposal: typically includes the first two chapters (e.g., problem statement, literature review).
- Research proposal (next milestone): adds research design and data collection plan.
- Final submission: includes all five chapters, with analysis and framework/model building.
- Students should create timelines with their supervisor based on chapter expectations.
Key Terms & Definitions
- DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) — a professional doctoral program focused on business research.
- Topic Proposal — initial dissertation document outlining research problem and literature review.
- IRB (Institutional Review Board) — body responsible for ethical review of research involving human subjects.
- Turnitin — plagiarism and AI content detection software used for thesis evaluation.
- APA Format — a standardized style guide for academic writing.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and align your chapter plan with the official guidelines and discuss with your supervisor.
- Complete IRB training as soon as possible.
- Format all documents in APA style and prepare required appendices.
- Run and include Turnitin similarity and AI reports before submission.
- Submit meeting reports to student support at least once every two months.
- Monitor and adhere to milestone deadlines (e.g., topic proposal by July 24).